Like many kids, when I was a child my life revolved around sports. Basketball, football, anything I could do to be with friends, have fun and compete, I would do it.
But it all came to a screeching halt in high school when I tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee playing basketball. All that competing and fun had to be put on the backburner while I went through the rehabilitation process.
Thankfully, I fully recovered and got back to playing the sports I loved, however, years later while playing football at Kalamazoo College, I tore the ACL in my other knee. It was a tough break, but I kept my head up because I knew my injuries were somehow blessings in disguise.
Today, I consider myself fortunate to be a sports medicine surgeon with Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, and to perform surgeries at Trinity Health St. Joseph Mercy Livingston and the Trinity Health Medical Center – Brighton. I truly believe my past injuries have helped pave the path to where I am today. They are part of the reason I pursued this field in the first place. I wanted to apply the knowledge I gained from those injuries into my work. An added benefit is that I get to be around people much like myself who enjoy staying active and competing in sport.
In my medical practice I have an opportunity to treat a variety of sport-related injuries. One minute I could be treating a younger patient suffering an ACL tear, and the next I am taking care of an older patient suffering a dislocated shoulder or torn rotator cuff. Looking back on the last two years, if there has been one thing I have seen most commonly amongst patients, it is overuse injuries.
Overuse injuries occur when people try to workout at the same level they once did but are not capable of now. In my experience, the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in deconditioning people and creating the physiological limitations for injuries to occur. Of all the overuse injuries I treat, my patients typically experience soreness and speak of difficulties getting back to their regular routine and skill level. As life has returned to normal and as they have become more active, I have strongly urged these patients to ease their way back into shape and to not push themselves too hard too fast. I also share with my patients that it’s important not to ignore what your body is telling you and to seek treatment if something doesn’t feel right.
Here in Livingston County, I believe there is no better place to be treated than Trinity Health St. Joseph Mercy Livingston. Our surgeons collaborate closely with our primary care physicians, which truly maximizes the patient experience and outcome. My patients appreciate having the ability to see a surgeon quickly after being examined by their primary care physician, and we pride ourselves in treating injuries promptly so that our patients can get back to living an active, pain free life.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Luczak, call 810-844-7785.
